A sparkling new floor for ballroom beginners on Staten Island

Advance file photoBy the start of the next school year, a new ballroom dance studio should be up and running at PS 69 in New Springville.

STATEN ISLAND, NY - NEW SPRINGVILLE -- One West Shore school is about to get a state-of-the-art facility for an already state-of-the-art performing arts program.

PS 69 has the groundwork in place to construct a professional-grade dance studio inside its New Springville halls, and coordinator Merideth Cucchia couldn't be more excited about the program's future.

"We are going to get to work with the kids in a professional environment," said the Bay Terrace resident, who has been teaching at the school for 15 years and putting together the performing arts curriculum for the last six.

"There's going to be a beautiful hardwood dance floor, mirrored walls, support bars, a sound system and lighting that can put on special effects. It's going to be great."

Mrs. Cucchia lauded the effects the program has had thus far on the student body - noting that not only do the children develop a mutual respect for the arts and each other, but also for additional areas of study.

With the efforts of Principal Doreen Murphy, the school has put a strong emphasis on the arts because of their overall effect on students' education.

The entire fifth grade, with about 130 pupils, participates in the ballroom dancing program, which has a partnership with the renowned Manhattan-based American Ballroom Theater Company.

And its reach extends even to parents.

"Usually, we do workshops in the evenings where parents come in and learn as well," said Mrs. Cucchia.

Those successes led to a letter-writing campaign to local politicians for additional funding.

State Senator Andrew Lanza (D-South Shore) was first to answer the call.

"I saw this program in practice, and it is yet another good way to reach kids," Lanza said. "Not all respond the same way to the same things. Some are stimulated by books, wile others are stimulated in other ways."

Lanza was able to procure a sizable grant for the furthering of the program, and construction should have the new studio up and running by the start of the next school year.

"It is important that we provide a well-balanced and comprehensive education to children," he continued. "The more ways that we approach educating kids the better, because it is more likely they will be enriched by the school experience."

Jamie Lee is a reporter for the Staten Island Advance. He covers the West and South Shores and may be reached at jamielee@siadvance.com.